Irene Dunne
Also Known As: Irene Marie Dunn
Biography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Irene Dunne (born Irene Marie Dunn, December 20, 1898 – September 4, 1990) was an American film actress and singer of the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s. Dunne was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, for her performances in Cimarron (1931), Theodora Goes Wild (1936), The Awful Truth (1937), Love Affair (1939) and I Remember Mama (1948). In 1985, Dunne was given Kennedy Center Honors for her services to the arts. Dunne was discovered by Hollywood while starring with the road company of Show Boat in 1929. She signed a contract with RKO and appeared in her first movie, Leathernecking (1930), a film version of the musical Present Arms. Already in her thirties when she made her first film, she would be in competition with younger actresses for roles, and found it advantageous to evade questions that would reveal her age. Her publicists encouraged the belief that she was born in 1901 or 1904, and the former is the date engraved on her tombstone. During the 1930s and 1940s, Dunne blossomed into a popular screen heroine in movies such as the original Back Street (1932) and the original Magnificent Obsession (1935) and re-created her role as Magnolia in Show Boat (1936), directed by James Whale. Love Affair (1939) is the first of three films she made opposite Charles Boyer. She starred, and sang "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", in the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film version of the musical Roberta (1935). Dunne was apprehensive about attempting her first comedy role, as the title character in Theodora Goes Wild (1936), but discovered that she enjoyed it. She turned out to possess an aptitude for comedy, with a flair for combining the elegant and the madcap, a quality she displayed in such films as The Awful Truth (1937) and My Favorite Wife (1940), both co-starring Cary Grant. Other roles include Julie Gardiner Adams in Penny Serenade (1941), again with Grant, Anna and the King of Siam (1946) as Anna Leonowens, Lavinia Day in Life with Father (1947), and Marta Hanson in I Remember Mama (1948). In The Mudlark (1950), she was nearly unrecognizable under heavy makeup as Queen Victoria. The comedy It Grows on Trees (1952) became Dunne's last screen performance, although she remained on the lookout for suitable film scripts for years afterwards. The following year, she was the opening act on the 1953 March of Dimes showcase in New York City. While in town, she made an appearance as the mystery guest on What's My Line? She also made television performances on Ford Theatre, General Electric Theater, and the Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, continuing to act until 1962. In 1952–53, Dunne played newspaper editor Susan Armstrong in the radio program Bright Star. The syndicated 30-minute comedy-drama also starred Fred MacMurray. Dunne commented in an interview that she had lacked the "terrifying ambition" of some other actresses and said, "I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. Living is."
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Adult: No
Birthday: December 20, 1898
Age: 126 years old
Gender: Female
Deathday: September 04, 1990
Popularity:
Known For:
Show Boat
Overview: Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.
Genres: Music Romance Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-05-17
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Roberta
Overview: Football player John Kent tags along as Huck Haines and the Wabash Indianians travel to an engagement in Paris, only to lose it immediately. John and company visit his aunt, owner of a posh fashion house run by her assistant, Stephanie. There they meet the singer Scharwenka (alias Huck's old friend Lizzie), who gets the band a job. Meanwhile, Madame Roberta passes away and leaves the business to John and he goes into partnership with Stephanie.
Genres: Comedy Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-03-07
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Together Again
Overview: Anne Crandall is the mayor of a small town in Vermont. Her deceased husband had been the mayor for years and when he died, she was left to carry on and to raise his daughter from his first marriage. She lives with the daughter, her father-in-law and a housekeeper. In the town square, there was a statue of her late husband and every year since his death, they have an anniversary celebration there. This year during a thunderstorm, the statue is hit by lightning and the head falls off. The daughter insists that a new statue be erected instead of patching the old one. Mayor Crandall is sent to New York to interview the prospective sculptor, George Corday.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-12-23
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My Favorite Wife
Overview: Years after she was presumed dead in a shipwreck, Ellen Arden returns home to the surprise of her husband recently remarrying. But he too gets a shock when he learns that Ellen spent her time alone on an island with another man.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-05-17
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Life with Father
Overview: A straitlaced turn-of-the-century father presides over a family of boys and the mother who really rules the roost.
Genres: Comedy Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-09-13
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The Awful Truth
Overview: Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-10-21
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Cimarron
Overview: When the government opens up the Oklahoma territory for settlement, restless Yancey Cravat claims a plot of the free land for himself and moves his family there from Wichita. A newspaperman, lawyer, and just about everything else, Cravat soon becomes a leading citizen of the boom town of Osage. Once the town is established, however, he begins to feel confined once again, and heads for the Cherokee Strip, leaving his family behind. During this and other absences, his wife Sabra must learn to take care of herself and soon becomes prominent in her own right.
Genres: Western Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-01-26
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A Guy Named Joe
Overview: A cocky Air Force pilot stationed in England during World War II falls for a daring female flier. After he's killed on a mission, he is sent back to Earth by heavenly General with a new assignment.
Genres: Drama Romance War Fantasy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-12-24
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I Remember Mama
Overview: Norwegian immigrant Marta Hanson keeps a firm but loving hand on her household of four children, a devoted husband and a highly-educated lodger who reads great literature to the family every evening. Through financial crises, illnesses and the small triumphs of everyday life, Marta maintains her optimism and sense of humor, traits she passes on to her aspiring-author daughter, Katrin.
Genres: Family Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-03-09
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Anna and the King of Siam
Overview: In 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1946-08-11
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Penny Serenade
Overview: Julie and Roger are a love-struck married couple who desperately want to have a child. Tragedy after tragedy gets in their way, as the two attempt to rise above their troubles and fulfill their dreams of parenthood.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-04-24
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Ann Vickers
Overview: After a love affair ending in an abortion, a young prison reformer submerges herself in her work. She then falls for a controversial and married judge and scandal looms again.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-09-26
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Sweet Adeline
Overview: In 1898, composer Sid Barnett manages to get his sweetheart, Adeline the beer-garden singer, to sing the lead in his new Broadway operetta; this infuriates Elysia, the erstwhile star. But Sid frets as Adeline spends increasing amounts of time with the dashing Major Day.
Genres: Romance Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-12-29
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Becoming Cary Grant
Overview: For the first time one of Hollywood's greatest stars tells his own story, in his own words. From a childhood of poverty to global fame, Cary Grant, the ultimate self-made star, explores his own screen image and what it took to create it.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-05-23
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Love Affair
Overview: A French playboy and an American former nightclub singer fall in love aboard a ship. They arrange to reunite six months later, if neither has changed their mind.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-04-07
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Joy of Living
Overview: Falling in love with the voice of Broadway chanteuse Margaret Garret, cocksure young tycoon Daniel Brewster decides to rescue the star from her hectic lifestyle of frenzied fans and mooching relatives. When Margaret has her ardent suitor arrested, the judge appoints her as Daniel's probation officer, forcing the duo to spend time together. As Daniel teaches Margaret to let her hair down and enjoy life, she begins to fall for her fun-loving admirer.
Genres: Comedy Romance Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-05-06
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Magnificent Obsession
Overview: A playboy tries to redeem himself after his careless behavior causes a great man's death.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-12-30
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Invitation to Happiness
Overview: An egotistical boxer romances a rich backer's daughter.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-06-07
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The White Cliffs of Dover
Overview: American Susan travels with her father to England for a vacation. Invited to a society ball, Susan meets Sir John Ashwood and marries him after a whirlwind romance. However, she never quite adjusts to life as a new member of the British gentry. At the outbreak of World War I, John is sent to the trenches and never returns. When her son goes off to fight in World War II, Susan fears the same tragic fate may befall him too.
Genres: Drama War Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-05-11
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High, Wide and Handsome
Overview: The setting is a small town in 1870s Pennsylvania. Sally Waterson and her father have stopped in town with their traveling medicine show, but when their wagon catches fire, they find themselves stranded. They're taken in by Mrs. Cortlandt and her grandson, Peter, who is trying to set up a pipeline that will supply oil throughout the state. Sally and Peter soon fall in love and marry. Neither their marriage nor Peter's pipe dreams flow too smoothly.
Genres: Music Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-07-21
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Theodora Goes Wild
Overview: The small-town prudes of Lynnfield are up in arms over 'The Sinner,' a sexy best-seller. They little suspect that author 'Caroline Adams' is really Theodora Lynn, scion of the town's leading family. Michael Grant, devil-may-care book jacket illustrator, penetrates Theodora's incognito and sets out to 'free her' from Lynnfield against her will. But Michael has a secret too, and gets a taste of his own medicine.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-11-12
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The Stolen Jools
Overview: Famous actress Norma Shearer's jewels are stolen… (Star-packed promotional short film intended to raise funds for the National Variety Artists Tuberculosis Sanatorium.)
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-04-04
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Thirteen Women
Overview: Thirteen women who were schoolmates ask a swami to cast their horoscopes. The news they receive is not good for any of them.
Genres: Drama Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-09-16
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Unfinished Business
Overview: Starting with a cruel joke – a couple of callow men make a bet that one of them can seduce the woman sharing their train compartment – the film charts the relationship that develops between a small-town girl in the big city, and the brother of the man who has heartlessly seduced and abandoned her.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1941-08-27
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The Secret of Madame Blanche
Overview: A murder trial reunites a former chorus girl and her son, a grandson of an English aristocrat.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-02-03
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Symphony of Six Million
Overview: A young doctor escapes the slums of New York City to make his fortune as a Park Avenue doctor. When a fatal mistake results in tragedy his resolve to continue working is severely tested. Based on a novel by Fannie Hurst.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-04-29
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Bachelor Apartment
Overview: A New York playboy, Wayne Carter, dates wild women until he falls for a hard-working stenographer, Helene Andrews.
Genres: Comedy Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-04-15
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Over 21
Overview: A woman screenwriter lives in a shabby bungalow in order to be near her husband, a 39-year-old newspaper editor who has just joined the army.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-08-08
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The Silver Cord
Overview: A domineering matriarch is less than happy when her son brings home his new bride. She immediately sets to work at sabotaging their marriage as well as the engagement of her younger and weaker son.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-05-05
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Back Street
Overview: A woman's love for and devotion to a married man results in her being relegated to the "back streets" of his life.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1932-08-04
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The Age of Innocence
Overview: An engaged attorney and a divorcee fall for each other in 1870s Manhattan.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-09-14
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The Mudlark
Overview: It's 1875 and a young street urchin wants to see Queen Victoria...
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-10-03
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If I Were Free
Overview: A recently divorced interior decorator falls in love with a married barrister.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-12-01
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Lady in a Jam
Overview: A psychiatrist's patient, a nutty heiress, travels west to find gold in her grandfather's abandoned mine. The psychiatrist, unable to talk her out of it, decides to follow her out there.
Genres: Comedy Romance Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-06-19
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Consolation Marriage
Overview: A sportswriter jilted by his globe-trotting girlfriend marries a woman jilted by her boyfriend.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-11-21
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The Great Lover
Overview: An aspiring classical singer is romanced by both a famous opera star and his younger understudy.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1931-07-18
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When Tomorrow Comes
Overview: A famous concert pianist unhappily married to a woman who suffers from mental illness falls in love with a waitress.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-08-11
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Stingaree
Overview: A young lady named Hilda who works as a servant for the wealthy Clarksons, sheep farmers, and dreams of being a great singer. An upcoming visit by Sir Julian, a famous composer arriving from London, drives jealous Mrs. Clarkson (an interfering biddy who fancies she can sing - but can't) to send away Hilda, so he doesn't hear Hilda has a good voice. Meanwhile, an infamous outlaw named Stingaree has just arrived in town and kidnaps Sir Julian, then poses as him at the Clarksons, where he meets Hilda a few hours before she is to leave.
Genres: Comedy Drama Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-05-24
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Never a Dull Moment
Overview: Kay Kingsley, a sophisticated and successful songwriter in New York City. falls in love with a widowed rancher, Chris Heyward, she meets at the Madison Square Garden Rodeo and they get married, and leave for his ranch in the west. Her friends warn her of an early disillusionment with life on a ranch, far away from the glitter and bright lights of Broadway. Kay makes one difficulty adjustment after another, as the ranch is presided over by Chris's kids, and an incident occurs with a neighbor that prompts Kay to return to her glamorous life in New York. But she soon finds her heart is with Chris and his children.
Genres: Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-08-19
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This Man Is Mine
Overview: The seemingly happy relationship between Tony and Jim is threatened when his manipulative, seductive former fiancee visits.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-04-13
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No Other Woman
Overview: A steelworker and his aspiring wife make millions when they become partners in a dyeworks. Unfortunately, success does not bring happiness.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-01-06
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It Grows on Trees
Overview: The Baxters are a typical happy American family trying to live on too little money. Mrs. Polly Baxter acquires two mysterious trees that got into a nursery shipment by mistake. They turn out to be money trees. After initial problems, Polly decides to spend the money.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-09-02
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Rat Pack
Overview: In the 1950s, a small group of artists monopolized the attention of the cameras and the public. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford together form the "rat pack": they sing the most popular hits of the moment, star in the most profitable Hollywood films and are already making a splash on television . This documentary, produced by a recognized specialist in the history of Hollywood, recounts the exceptional destiny of this informal group which flirted with the greats of this world, notably through Sinatra, personal friend of American President Kennedy.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 2022-01-11
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Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man
Overview: A retrospective of the life and career of actor Cary Grant, including clips from his films and interviews with his friends and co-workers.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-06-05
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Leathernecking
Overview: Chick Evans is a Marine private in Honolulu, Hawaii. He falls for society girl Delphine Witherspoon, and begins to scheme as to how to win her over.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-09-12
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Things You Never See on the Screen
Overview: Flubs and bloopers that occurred on the set of some of the major Warner Bros. pictures of 1935.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-12-01
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Show-Business at War
Overview: A multi-studio effort to show the newsreel audience the progress of the Hollywood war effort.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1943-05-21
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Overview: Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-08-06
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Twenty Years After
Overview: This short celebrates the 20th anniversary of MGM. Segments are shown from several early hits, then from a number of 1944 releases.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-01-01
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You Can Change The World
Overview: Comedian Jack Benny has his butler, Rochester, call several of his celebrity friends over to the house. Benny introduces them to a Catholic priest, who speaks to them about doing a film for a group called the Christophers. The Christophers are an organization that wants to use different mediums such radio, TV, and film to inspire young people to change the world for the better by pursuing careers in public service like teaching and government work. The priest gives the celebrities a history lesson about the founding of the U.S. and God's role in it, and he asks for their help.
Genres: Family
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-02-25
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Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
Overview: Viewers are provided a visit to Ken Maynard's private circus; Bette Davis poses for her portrait; Frank McHugh plays with his children; a visit to the West Side Tennis Club affords glimpses of many stars.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-09-11
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1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Overview: This documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips and insight into what made the year so special.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-07-02
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Musical Comedy Tonight III
Overview: Sylvia Fine hosts this musical show featuring some great American singing and dancing stars, featuring music by Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Berlin and Kern.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-11-22
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